Endangered species

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to,Alfred A. Montapert.

An endangered species is an animal, plant or any other kind of wildlife whose numbers are so small that is in danger of becoming extinct; meaning it would no longer be alive on our planet. Many scientists agree that between one-third and one-half of all species could become extinct by 2050. Most extinctions are caused by habitat destruction (urbanization, agriculture, logging, mining), pollution, over exploitation (hunting, fishing), and the introduction of invasive species.

1. What does “Endangered species” really mean? The Earth is currently experiencing its sixth major animal extinction event. “An endangered species is one whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction,” DoSomething.org, 11 Facts About Endangered Species.

2. How concerned should we be about it? How big is the problem? All animals are interesting, fascinating, and deserve our respect; and yet “One out of four of the world’s mammals and over 40 percent of amphibians are threatened with extinction due to human activity, including habitat destruction, overexploitation, climate change, and pollution, as well as human overpopulation,” Animal Welfare Institute.

   

3. Why does extinction occur? “Humans have destroyed over half of the Earth’s forests, and the remaining forest habitats are shrinking fast. Since all creatures need space in which to live, find food, and reproduce, habitat loss is the biggest threat to wildlife today,” (Sheppard Software, Endangered Animals, What’s the harm?). “Climate change poses a fundamental threat to places, species, and people’s livelihoods,” World Wildlife Fund.

   

4. What can we do to stop animal extinction?

• Learn and educate yourself about plants and animals of the world that are threatened with extinction, Earth’s Endangered Creatures. You may want to read our free ebooks about animals: Extraordinary animals, A very bad day, How many legs do I have? and Plants
• Protect wildlife by joining, volunteering, and donating to a non-profit conservation organization.
• Write letters and emails to governments, companies, and newspapers, post, write, and share on social media, voicing your concerns. 
• Boycott products made of fur, skin, and leather, etc.